Earlier today, the Ministry of Defence announced the new winners of the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Awards.

It’s the highest badge of honour for organisations who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrated outstanding support for those who serve and have served.

The ERS Gold Awards recognise employers who actively support the Armed Forces community in their workplace and also encourage others to follow their lead. The award scheme, which attracts entries from companies in every part of the country and in the private and public sectors, has seen a rapid increase in participation since it launched in 2014.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council became the second ever Welsh recipient of the ERS Gold Award. The rest of the 2017 winners are:

Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon said: “These companies have shown the gold standard of commitment to supporting members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. They have taken meaningful steps to ensure the Defence community are not disadvantaged by the sacrifice they make in helping keep this country safe. The actions of these employers make it crystal clear that regardless of size, location, or sector, employing people with military skills is good for business.”

Royal Marines veteran Chris Girdwood, Technician at Gold Award winner Combat Pest Control, said: "It has been great working with Combat Pest Control, not only because they have trained and supported me in my career but also because they do so much supporting the wider military community."

The Ministry of Defence also announced today that following a stringent assessment, seven recipients of the 2014 Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards have retained their Gold status: BAE Systems, Barclays, BT, Carillion, Hewlett-Packard (HP), NHS Nottingham University Hospitals Trust and NHS Scotland.

Over 300 primary school pupils were joined by a team of RAF personnel at the National Museum in Cardiff who helped them to build rocket cars, try computer coding, make a parachute to safely land an egg and take part in a hot air balloon challenge.